The Butterfly Effect (Boggy Creek Valley 1)

“Why the rush—ohhhh!” Lacy said as Connor jumped up. She held up her hand and shook her head. “It’s okay. I’m okay. Sit back down. It’s not a contraction.”

Connor did as Lacy said. A wicked smile moved across my sister’s face, and she slowly nodded and gave me a look that I couldn’t really understand.

“I get it,” she said as she wiggled her brows. “You’re in the family way.”

“What!” a chorus of people cried out, me included.

“You’re pregnant?” my father and Hunter both asked.

“Oh wow, the kids will be so close in age!” Connor said, getting up to hug me.

“No…no!” I said above all the other voices talking at once.

“I can’t believe he got you pregnant before marrying you!” Hunter said. “I may arrest his ass.”

Just then, Aiden walked into the kitchen with Carl and Rose next to him. I groaned internally.

“Who are you going to arrest?” Aiden asked as Rose quickly made her way over to my mother.

“Mary, my goodness, what’s wrong?” Rose asked.

Hunter pointed at Aiden. “You! I’m going to arrest you for getting my sister pregnant!”

Aiden quickly looked down at Lacy and drew his brows in, clearly confused. “I wasn’t even back in Boggy Creek when Lacy got pregnant.”

Carl rolled his eyes and pulled out a chair to sit down. “I’m too old for this shit.”

“Little ears, Carl,” Lacy warned.

He lifted his hand and nodded. “That’s right. I’m sorry, darling.”

“Not Lacy, you idiot! Willamina! You got Willa pregnant,” Hunter stated.

“What!” Rose gasped as she spun around and looked at me. Her eyes filled with tears, and I quickly started to shake my head.

“No. No, Rose, no, I’m not—”

“You’re pregnant?” Aiden asked, pushing past my brother and making his way over to me. The hopeful look on his face nearly made me want to lie—nearly—but I quickly came to my senses. However, for a moment, I did wish that I was pregnant, just to see that look on his face for the rest of the day.

I took his hand in mine, but before I could speak, my father walked up to us.

“Well, as much as I would have liked to see you married first, if you’re happy, I’m happy!” he shouted just as a loud, piercing cry echoed through the kitchen. I looked to see if Ben or Lilly had gotten hurt, and then glanced around to see if anyone had stepped on the cat’s tail.

“What was that?” Carl asked. “Sounds like a heifer going into labor.”

Lacy stood and panted as she pointed at Carl. “I’m going to—hee hee hee—ignore that—hoo hoo hee—old man.”

“Lacy?” I asked, quickly moving across the kitchen toward her. She nodded and then looked at Connor, who stood there with a blueberry muffin in his hand.

“Hey, are they cool yet?” Hunter asked. He walked up and took the muffin from Connor’s hand.

Connor clearly saw the wetness on Lacy’s pants because his eyes went wide.

Clearing my throat, I smiled at my brother-in-law. “Connor, Lacy’s water broke, it’s time to take her to the hospital.”

“Oh Lord! It’s time! It’s time!” I heard my mother say as she rushed over to the other side of Lacy.

Connor stood there frozen, as if this was his first rodeo. I looked at Aiden for help, and he nodded and walked over to Connor.

“Hey, bud, if you want to give me the keys to your car, I’ll go pull it up so you can get Lacy ready to go.”

Then Aiden turned to my mother. “Mary, do we have a plan for Lilly?”

Connor tossed the keys at Aiden and quickly moved to help Lacy.

“A plan? Oh, um, yes. Jack and I are going to the hospital and—who was watching Lilly again?”

Rose walked up to my mother and smiled. “Mary, go to the hospital with the kids. I’ll stay with Willa and watch Lilly.”

My mother nearly burst into tears. “Rose, are you sure? It’s Christmas.”

Aiden’s mother smiled and gave her friend a hug. “I’m positive. It will give me practice.”

That had everyone swinging their attention back on me.

“Okay, before we all leave and today’s craziness gets any worse, I am not pregnant!” I announced.

Aiden’s shoulders slightly fell, but he still winked at me.

Connor seemed to regain his composure and called out, “Aiden! Car!”

“Right, going now.” Aiden rushed out the door.

“Mom…Mom?” Lacy said as she glanced back over her shoulder.

“I’m coming, sweetheart, don’t worry. Everything’s going to be okay.”

Lacy turned her focus on me. “Willa, you’ll bring Lilly after the baby is born?”

I nodded. “Yes, I’ll wait for the call. I love you, and you’re going to do great!”

She gave me a wobbly smile before looking over at Hunter.

“I’ll lead the way.” My brother turned to Rose. “Jack’s out in the backyard. Is it okay if he stays here?”

“Of course!” Rose stated. She motioned for Hunter to go. “Go! Make sure they get to the hospital okay. I’ll let Jack in once everyone is gone.”